How do other teachers encourage their students to get involved in helping the environment? Check in with Matt Kline, he's a 5th grade teacher at Turning Point School in Los Angeles, CA. One of his students was a First Prize Winner in Toyota's Agent for Change contest.

QUESTION: What kind of environmental efforts have you promoted in the classroom?
ANSWER: Our class has a program that I created called "Spotlight on Sustainability".  We have done many projects including creating and promoting a "carpool day" and a "no waste lunch day."  We have started a compost program, and enhanced our recycling program.  Each week one student is in charge of teaching a lesson on some environmental topic.

Q: Why is the environment important to you? 
A: The environment is important to me for many reasons, primarily because this is the only world we have so I think we have to treat it with the utmost care and respect.  The United States is clearly a leader in the world in many ways, but in our quest for success, wealth, and global power we have somehow forgotten the importance of preserving the environment for future generations. Today's fifth graders are tomorrow's decision makers. I hope to instill a foundation of understanding a respect for the environment in them at a young age so that their future choices and decisions take into account their responsibility to care for the earth.
 
Q: How do you get students excited about getting involved in making a difference in helping the environment?
A: Kids love hands on projects. Many of the things we do in class involve active learning. There are many different ways to integrate important academics into all of these projects. For example on carpool day, students gathered and analyzed the data, and then made charts and graphs. 
 
Q: What did you find appealing about the Toyota Agent for Change contest? 
A: I was able to integrate the "How To Booklet" into my language arts curriculum. The students enjoyed the process of creating something practical and useful. They always enjoy projects that involve creative arts as well as writing. 
 
Q: Have you noticed changes in students after they get involved? What are the benefits? 
A: They have a developing understanding of their ecological footprint on our planet, and the power of their decisions and choices.  
 
Q: Do you think your students will continue to care for the environment as adults? 
A: I truly believe many of them will continue to care for the environment for the rest of their lives. 
 
Q: How do you plan on making a difference in the future?  
A: I plan to continue to attempt to inspire students and provide them with opportunities to participate in active learning. I hope to continue to share my ideas with other teachers, and always strive to develop new ideas and projects to make students' learning relevant and enjoyable. I'll also continue to drive my vegetable oil powered car and strive to reduce my use of fossil fuels.